Iron-ore futures prices held well over the key psychological level of $100 a metric ton on Tuesday, while investors closely monitored the renewed Sino-US trade talks for signs of progress.
The benchmark September iron-ore on the Singapore Exchange was 0.61% higher at $101.4 a ton, as of 02:05 GMT.
The most-traded September iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) DCIOcv1 traded 0.57% lower at 788.5 yuan ($109.86) a ton.
Talks between top US and Chinese officials in Stockholm, who met on Monday, are expected to continue on Tuesday to resolve longstanding economic disputes between the world’s top two economies.
Although the two superpowers have no deep ties in terms of direct trade in steel and its feedstock iron ore, trade frictions could blur demand outlook in top consumer China, said analysts.
Underpinning prices of the key steel feedstock were also falling iron ore arrivals, with those at the major ports slipping by 7.6% week-on-week to 23.2 million tons in the week as of July 27, data from consultancy Mysteel showed.
“Fundamentals of iron ore are relatively healthy amid falling arrivals and resilient hot metal output, supporting prices,” analysts at Shengda Futures said in a note.
Markets also awaited details of a Chinese Politburo meeting by July-end that is expected to set the country’s economic policy for the rest of the year.
Prices of coking coal DJMcv1 and coke DCJcv1, also steelmaking ingredients, extended their slump for a second straight session, falling 11.54% and 4.83%, respectively.
Both had surged in the past week, fueled by the anticipation of a potential supply cut after the government planned to inspect mines at eight key coal production hubs to check for excess production.
Most steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange subsided. Rebar SRBcv1 dipped 0.67%, hot-rolled coil SHHCcv1 fell 0.47%, stainless steel SHSScv1 lost 0.62%, while wire rod SWRcv1 added 0.63%.